Thirty-two years ago, Sweden negotiated an impressive third-place finish during their last tournament on US soil at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™. While Kennet Andersson was topping the scoring list with five goals, Gustaf Lagerbielke was still six years from being born.
The Swedes’ last appearance in the finals came in Russia 2018, where, under the guidance of Janne Andersson the Blågult reached the quarter-final stage, where they were ultimately eliminated by England.
Under Graham Potter, Sweden will make their return to football’s biggest stage at FIFA World Cup 2026™, after defeating Poland in the Path B European play-off final.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was the hero who scored the decisive goal to cement qualification, but Braga centre-back Lagerbielke also made his mark with only his second international goal.
“I can’t describe it. So many emotions,” he told FIFA in an exclusive interview.
“This is a childhood dream coming true. And with the qualification we had, with a lot of doubters, and not the best result in the first round, to come and do what we did in those two games and to manage to qualify, I can’t describe it.
“We got a visit from the Prime Minister and the Prince of Sweden so, yeah, that was nice as well. I think the whole of Sweden was watching. If they weren’t here, they were at sports bars and [on] couches at home. I’ve been there myself, cheering for the national team.
“To have a FIFA World Cup summer with them, to be able to give that to the fans and to the Swedish people, it’s something I can’t describe.”
Lagerbielke gave Sweden the lead for the second time in a topsy-turvy 3-2 win over Poland with a close-range header after latching onto a Benjamin Nygren free-kick.
“It was pure explosion. I was a little bit scared it was offside,” said the 26-year-old defender.
“To celebrate with the fans, to celebrate with my team-mates and to know my family and friends were there watching the game was the icing on the cake.
“But the feeling when Viktor scored that decisive goal was probably the best feeling I’ve had on the football pitch.
“I mean, we were at the bottom, and the only way was up. We really managed to pull together, get the team and the whole nation together for these decisive games.
“I’ve said before that I know these players and my team-mates in the national team almost better than I know my childhood friends because we’ve been through so many emotions and ups and downs.”
Potter took over the role of Sweden’s head coach in October 2025, and the move paid when the former West Ham United manager delivered the country a return to the finals.
According to Lagerbielke, Potter’s ability to galvanise a struggling squad – after they failed to win a single qualifier, finishing bottom of Group B, before securing a UEFA play-off place thanks to their UEFA Nations League ranking – was key to their recovery.
“Graham Potter had a surprise for us in the beginning of this camp when he showed us videos of our relatives, girlfriends, wives and children, to wish us the best for this camp,” said Lagerbielke.
“That also put this into perspective. It was very nice to see other players’ relatives and, of course, mine also.
“I think his main focus wasn’t the tactical bit or the part on the pitch. It was mainly getting the group together, getting to know each other and also making us a better team.
“We don’t have that much of the ball, but we run for each other, we fight for each other, and then at the most vital moments we pull through with some star quality up front.
“I think our first ambition is to get through the group stage, of course. We have a tough group with three great teams from different parts of the world, so our first target is that, and then you never know in the knockouts how it can go.”
